Concordia creates wrestling practice facility as P.E. Building is overhauled

Concordia’s P.E. Building, used before the $24 million Walz Human Performance Complex was dedicated in 2009, underwent major renovations this summer. 

“We continually want to improve our facilities,” said Concordia Athletic Director Devin Smith.  “The steps we took summer will help not only our teams, but the institution reach our full potential.”

Dedicated in 1960, the P.E. Building was the home to Concordia athletics for decades. This fall, all locker rooms in the building were gutted and updated. The lower level of the building was reconfigured to include areas for athletic equipment and athletic training. An updated weight room is now available for student athletes and the university community as a whole. New space for classrooms and offices were also completed. 

One of the biggest changes to the building was the addition of a wrestling practice facility.  Concordia’s wrestling program, revived in 2009, no longer has to use the building’s old gym as the place to roll out its mats. A permanent wrestling practice room now sits at the south end of the building, in the area where a swimming pool had been.

“This provides our wrestling program with one of the best practice facilities in the NAIA,” said Smith.

New Concordia wrestling head coach Dana Vote likewise sees the new facility as an asset for recruitment and future success. “This facility shows that Concordia is investing in wrestling and is the first stepping stone to competing for national team titles.”

Funding for the P.E. Building renovations was provided primarily through donations.

See also:  Learn more about the renovation and making a donation.